Tag: Cade Cunningham

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Cade Cunningham Is Not Only The Face Of The Detroit Pistons, But Detroit Sports

No matter the city or sports there is always a “face of.” Some markets have more than one professional team in those cities, so it is a bit more difficult to pick one player who represents the entire city. Such as the case in Detroit where there are four teams to choose from. The Detroit Red Wings have Dylan Larkin, the Tigers, have Tarik Skubal the Lions have Jared Goff and the Pistons have Cade Cunningham. So who is the face of Detroit sports? For me it is Cunningham.
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 18: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons looks on before the game against the Phoenix Suns on January 18, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nothing against the other athletes but Cade Cunningham wanted Detroit and Detroit wanted him. Cunningham wanted Detroit so that he could carve out his legacy which he is embracing. He is young and his numbers have gone up each season except the 2022-’23 season as he played in just 12 games before an injury and surgery knocked him out of commission.

Numbers aside, Cade Cunningham gets my nod as the face of Detroit sports because he has grown into the unquestioned leader of the Pistons. Yes, Cunningham has that dog in him but he is also drawing that out of his teammates.

This is the first season the Pistons organization has been around .500, and it is due in large part to Cade’s growth. What makes him a favorite around Detroit can be summed up by his own words: “The way the city carries itself, the grit, all that stuff, it hits home for me. It’s been a lot of tough times, and a lot of bad basketball. I want to be part of changing that.”

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 13: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on January 13, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

A leader on and off the court at just 23 years old, Cade Cunningham, and a lot of that had to do with a challenge from Trajan Langdon, the Piston’s new president of basketball operations who signed the young player to a max deal. Langdon also asked Cunningham to grab onto the responsibility of leadership and be better on the defensive end, which Cade has embraced.

People in Detroit know the fire Cunningham has in his belly to improve and get the Pistons to be more consistent which has endeared to the fans. Cunningham’s growth has Pistons fans thinking the future is going to be special.

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The Detroit Pistons News And Notes

The Detroit Pistons are starting over, again. The Pistons hired former New Orleans Pelicans GM, Trajan Langdon as President of Basketball Ops, , Langdon was viewed by many to be a very good hire. In what became very clear, very quickly Langdon and the Pistons announced they were cutting ties with GM, Troy Weaver. Now the Pistons have a clear direction.

 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 11: General manager Trajan Langdon of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a preseason game against the Utah Jazz at the Smoothie King Center on October 11, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Trajan Langdon did a good job of building the Pelicans roster into a playoff-contending team. Unlike Detroit, the Pelicans boast perhaps the NBA’s best foursome of wings (SG/SF.) The Pistons also lack a defensive center and a strong bench. Needless to say, Langdon has a lot of work to do.

It is being reported Detroit is prepared to offer star Cade Cunningham a max contract. Langdon did say that he plans to build around Cunningham. The team in four years under Troy Weaver never put a player on the court who complimented Cunningham.

Monty Williams had a disastrous first season as Pistons head coach. So much so that owner Tom Gores said he would be willing to eat the $80M left on Williams’s contract if Langdon chooses to move on and bring in his coach. I was announced the team is now evaluating Monty Williams’s status.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 19: The NBA brand logo is pictured before the game between the Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat at Little Caesars Arena on March 19, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Again for a Pistons basketball team that has lacked a clear-cut direction that is what Trajan Langdon brings to the organization. Detroit is in good shape with around $60M in cap space. They will need it as the roster needs a nearly full overhaul.

Langdon said he wants to get the Pistons back in the playoffs soon. Now is when the real work will start.